Ferry Spotters on the West Coast of Scotland

I must admit to being a bit of a geek. Train spotting was never really my thing, it always seemed a bit futile standing watching the trains and never actually going anywhere. Besides train platforms are a bit of a dangerous place for young kids. I have however discovered something much more exciting, and something that you can really get the kids involved in whilst visiting some wonderful places – Ferry Spotting.

If you live or travel north of the border you will find a wonderful company called Caledonian MacBrayne (or Caledonian Mac a’ Bhriuthainn if you speak Gaelic). They run 23 different ferries routes up and down the West Coast of Scotland, going to some wonderful places.

I am not ashamed to call myself a ferry spotter, and this slightly odd interest is something I have been determined to get Ella and Joel into, who else will listen to my ramblings about boats but my kids!!

We have had many holidays on the West Coast, and most if not all of them will involve a Calmac (as the company is generally known) at one point. We all have our own special boat which belongs to us, that is according to Joel who always says that the Loch Nevis (goes from Mallaig) is “Daddies Boat”. Mallaig is another great place to catch a Calmac, you can get to 5 islands from here. Islands with strange names like Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna are beautifully quite places, far removed from the hustle and bustle of modern life. There are castles, beaches and wildlife everywhere on these stunning islands and we have been lucky enough to see dolphins and porpoises from the deck of the boat. One day we all hope to see a basking shark which are common in these waters in Spring and Summer.